Power outage stalls hearing in Sanusi’s case

Power outage at the Federal High Court Complex in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday stalled hearing in a suit filed by suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Sanusi is seeking an order of the court to stop the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria from investigating him.
The trial judge, Justice James Tsoho, adjourned the case to April 17 for hearing.
The court, following persistent cuts in public power supply, had relied solely on generating sets.
The generators could, however, not supply power to the 10 courtrooms, a situation that forced several courts to adjourn cases earlier listed for hearing.
Counsels to the plaintiff and defendants were in court.
Sanusi had filed the suit through his counsel, Kola Awodehin (SAN), seeking a declaration that the conduct of the FRCN, actions and decision is ultra vires.
Other prayers included: “A declaration that the defendant’s recommendation regarding the plaintiff in briefing note dated June 7, 2013, that he be removed from office as CBN of Governor, were ultra vires under the FRCN Act 2011.
“A declaration that the proposed investigation as advertised in the Punch newspaper of March 24, in the circumstance of having reached a conclusion in the briefing note of June 2013, before embarking on the investigation, is tantamount to a breach of natural justice.
“A declaration that the defendant do not have the power to conduct investigation as advertised in the newspaper.”
Sanusi also sought for an order restraining the defendants or their privies, under its authority, or pursuant to the FRCN Act, from conducting and continuing with any investigation or inquiry as advertised.
He also asked the court to order the setting aside or nullification of any report, conclusion or recommendation, based on any investigation conducted by FRCN, as advertised in the Punch Newspaper.
The defence had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.
The trial judge had ruled that he would hear the defendant’s objection and the plaintiff’s motion together.
Tsoho had ordered that the status quo as at the time of instituting the suit be maintained until the suit is determined.